Search - Annihilator :: Schizo Deluxe

A thrash metal album that would go down as historic, if this

George Dionne | Cape Cod, MA | 01/29/2006

(4 out of 5 stars)

"The Good

The Beast is unleashed on "Maximum Satan." Dave Padden's doubled-up, echoed vocals mixed with Jeff Waters' dark and heavy riffs help make for one evil track. "Drive" barrels along like a racecar burning down the track. The drum work is so frantic that one has to wonder how many heads were damaged. "Plasma Zombies" takes a social stance on how young kids today are hypnotized by video games and how images on television may influence their lives. It's set to a backdrop of monster riffs and powerful vocals. Annihilator continues to express their social views on "Like Father, Like Gun." The rhythms fire off in typical thrash metal style, with shaded of classic Pantera thrown in.



I would actually classify "Clare" as a dark and ominous ballad. The track leans a lot on softer tones as it builds to a distorted release during the chorus. Three bonus tracks are thrown in on this release; all are rare demo or unreleased recordings. You can hear contrasting vocal styles on "Weapon X" and "I Am Command," but both stay true to Annihilator's early days. There's also a song called "Annihilator" that was taken from a Canadian radio premier sometime in the eighties. What metal band didn't have a song titles after them back then?



The Bad

Nothing notable



The Verdict

Annihilator deliver the goods with a thrash metal album that would go down as historic, if this were 1985. Schizo Deluxe is sure to please the band's European and Japanese faithful, but how it plays out in the U.S. will probably be worse than it deserves. It hard, it's heavy, and it's metal!"

Smokin'!

Jeff B. | Phx, AZ. | 03/22/2006

(5 out of 5 stars)

"Hands down the best thing I've heard in a long time! This thing shreds! Where the hell have I been? The new Exodus has nothing on this...in fact, this is just plain brutal face meltin' s@#T!

BUY IT NOW!"

ANNIHILATOR REBOUNDS!!!

glen | 07/11/2006

(5 out of 5 stars)

"Finally an album that comes somewhere near the magic and triumph of 'Alice in Hell'. Could be Annihalor's 2nd best album ever. Simply put Schizo POUNDS! Released a short year after the disastrous and in my view their worst album 'All For You'. How such a redound occurred with the same singer borders on miraculous. There is not a stinker track on here, even the slower tune 'Clare' is inspired. The vocals, guitars, drums, production, song writing and cover art all 10 plus!"